I received Rick and Bubba’s Guide to the Almost Nearly Perfect Marriage through Thomas Nelson’s book reviewer blog program. Written by nationally syndicated radio talk show hosts Rick Burgess and Bill “Bubba” Bussey is a perfect marriage book. I would recommend anyone read this book. Whether you are planning on getting married, have just gotten married, or have been married for years. Rick and Bubba take what they have learned from their more than 33 years of marriage and share it through their personal experiences. Several times throughout the book I saw my wife and me in the same situation. I just wish I had read that part of the book before it happened to me.

I have always enjoyed reading books where real-life examples are shared. It is so much easier to learn from someone else’s mistakes. The book is written with a good balance between humor, common sense, and seriousness in a marriage. Rick and Bubba bring out many good points you can take from the book. And they did what they do best; poke fun of themselves as men. But in their poking fun, they speak it in truth. The book is very well written with short chapters. So, it should be an easy read for most of us men.

Here is more information about the book and a link to order a copy:
Rick and Bubba’s Guide to the Almost Nearly Perfect Marriage

I just received my review copy of “Rick and Bubba’s Guide to the Almost Nearly Perfect Marriage” from Thomas Nelson Publishers. I will be reading this book in the coming days and will post a review of the on my blog in very soon.

Click on the cover for an inside the book preview.

Rick and Bubba are at it again, and this time it is all about marriage. Addressing such topics as apologizing (The Ten Worst Ways to Say I’m Sorry), communication (Grunting Is Not a Language), date nights (Worst Date Nights in History), finances (I Thought You Paid the Gas Bill), and playing sports together (I Did Too Let You Win), the two “sexiest fat men alive” will have couples everywhere tied in knots. With stories, top ten lists, and even a bonus addendum of their oft mentioned, “The Book of Blame,” this humorous look at marriage is long overdue. This book will revolutionize your way of looking at married life. And it might just remind you all over again why you fell in love in the first place.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, here is the latest installment of the Dave Ramsey pickup lines.

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We just couldn’t resist. Use these new Dave Ramsey pickup lines with caution (actually, it’s best if you don’t use them at all, unless you enjoy being laughed out of the building).

I think the caption says it all.

I received this article in a recent newsletter from Zig Ziglar. These are great ideas for staying in a good mood and keeping a sense of humor in today’s hectic world.

Ten Tips for Staying Up in a Down World
By Chip Lutz

As a member of the Association of Applied and Therapeutic Humor, I have the opportunity to meet and be associated with some fantastic people.   Our members know the value of keeping the right perspective when times are tough, and have generated this list of 10 tips to help you lighten up and rise above the current economic turmoil and stress of the holiday season:

1.  Adjust Your Attitude – Stop watching the news and start counting your blessings instead of your money!  The blessings will increase, while the money is…well, you know!

2.  Make Someone Else Happy – Send unexpected “thank you” or greeting cards to a mix of people.  Start with those who aren’t expecting it but deserve it. Then, send a couple to people who aren’t expecting and don’t deserve it.  Then, pick a couple names at random out of the phone book that certainly aren’t expecting it and have no idea who you are!  For a free list of over 60 ways to say “thank you,”  EMAIL ME!

3.  Signs of the Times – Have some mirthful signs or sayings handy.  For example:
- The rules have changed… there are none!
- Walking on water is in my job description!
- Apparently, not all clowns are in the circus!
- Never wrestle with a pig – you both get dirty, but the pig likes it!
- You don’t have to be crazy to work here…but it sure helps!
- If we’re closed, just slide the money under the door!
- I’m not weird… I’m gifted!

4.  Try Some Random Acts of Silliness and Kindness – Wear mismatched gloves or socks… on purpose!  Page yourself over the intercom!  If and when a store clerk, restaurant server or flight attendant asks matter-of-factly, “How are you today?”, try replies such as, “Well medicated – and you?” or “At least I’m vertical!”  Instead of them always thanking you, thank them first and watch their reaction!

5.  Fun with Food – Put a bag of cookies or marshmallows in your briefcase.  Then, start your meeting by asking, “Dessert, anyone?”  Have a marshmallow stacking competition!  Put a pack of bubble gum in your coat pocket and, in the elevator, offer some to everyone!

6.  Pop Goes Your Worries – Save your bubble wrap!  It’s a great stress reliever.  Pop it with your fingers, knees and toes!  Dance on it!  Pop it with the help of young children!  Pop it, in unison, to the beat of music!

7.  Use Your Imagination – Think of what would happen if certain companies merged.  For example: Fairchild Semiconductor and Honeywell Corporation would become Fairwell Honeychild.  Grey Poupon and Docker Pants would become Poupon Pants.  If FedEx joined UPS, they might become FedUP.

8.  Rename to Keep Sane – Cash Flow: The movement your money makes as it disappears down the toilet.  Broker: What I am today, after taking the advice of my financial planner.  P/E Ratio: The percentage of investors wetting their pants as the market keeps crashing.

9.  Exaggerate – Comedians overstate things to get a laugh.  You can too!  Our family is so poor these days… we took out a second mortgage on our cardboard box.  Our family is so poor these days… to save on milk, we eat our corn flakes with a fork.  Our family is so poor these days… when someone rings the door bell, I stick my head out the window and yell, “Ding-Dong.”

10.  Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella – This simple choice is yours.  You can frown and be miserable (way too many people readily choose this option), or you can wear a contagious smile.  In your conversations with people, smile and ask to see their smile.  Then say, “I see you’ve been practicing!”

I hope you found some value in these strategies.  Let me know how they worked for you!

Chip Lutz is a professional speaker, trainer, and retired Navy Officer with 22 years’ leadership experience. He served as Commanding Officer of two separate Navy facilities and was the Director of Security for Naval District Washington, DC, during September 11, 2001. Find out more about his work at http://www.funsquadinc.com.

Got Milk?

I live on a farm and times are pretty hard as the area I live in is considered economically depressed.

It’s so bad, that I’ve heard some of our neighbors were having a hard time making ends meet.

This morning, I woke up to hear a knock at the door. When I went to answer the door — this is the sad sight that I saw. It just about broke my  heart…!!